NOVEL NEXT Chapter 7 - Next Stop: Toad.
**[Next Stop: Toad. Toad!]**
Jang Gyu-tae and his crew were on the train from Suwon. Immediately after the incident occurred, they remembered the game “RIliJi” they used to play while running an office.
“Mana Sword…?”
“Is this… a game, Hyung?”
That association was fairly accurate. They were accustomed to thrusting swords into things, so adapting to this new world wasn’t difficult for them. They had always lived in a world governed by the logic of strength, so they were adapting quickly.
As they fought off several monsters, buildings began to collapse one by one. They then retreated to the subway to deal with the monsters quickly and took the subway back to their base in Gangnam.
When they boarded, there were many people in the subway. However, each time the station doors opened, monsters were replaced by the people most of the time.
Most of the passengers had died. Naturally, Jang Gyu-tae and his seven crew members survived. They were seasoned fighters, after all.
“No… What on earth has happened to the world?”
“Hyung, I accidentally stabbed someone while swinging my sword earlier. But a constellation named ‘Sangjwa’ has been sponsoring me.”
“Really? Do they give skills and things like that too?”
“Yes, it seems to be getting much stronger.”
They realized that the world had indeed changed.
“…So, killing people earns sponsorship.”
Without hesitation, Jang Gyu-tae and his crew began their slaughter. They started in the middle of the train and worked their way to the end, searching for humans rather than monsters. It was easier that way.
**[Red Constellation: One Constellation is showing interest in you.]**
The constellation that had attached itself to them was a Chaos Demon. True to its name, it liked to bring chaos to the deteriorating world.
“Kekeke… Hyung, my skill level is rising. My Basic Slash is already at level 3!”
“I’m at level 4. This is quite rewarding.”
The men were doing relatively well since they had quickly killed their targets.
“Come here, you fucking bitch.”
“Ahhh! P-please, save me…”
The women were overpowered after losing their short swords and were being raped. Those who did not actively comply or hesitated even slightly were killed immediately.
The only survivor among them was the one sitting next to them. And Kim Iseo, who had just boarded the train, was staring intently at her.
“Hyung? Have you eaten honey? Why are you so quiet?”
Kim Iseo’s gaze remained fixed on the woman.
“Oh, are you interested in her?”
Jang Gyu-tae dragged the woman to Kim Iseo’s feet using a rope he had prepared.
‘This should make him understand.’
Expressing strength by trampling on the weak was a basic rule in the underworld. Sometimes, they even beat up their own comrades to intimidate their opponents.
“I’ve shown you something good, so why don’t you bring out the cute girl next to you?”
Jang Gyu-tae pointed at Choi Seo-yeon.
“Since the world’s gone to hell, scum like you are adapting well.”
“Yeah, so… What, what did you say?”
Kim Iseo continued to look down at the woman trying to lick his foot.
“Just how many people must you have killed for a person to end up like this in half a day?”
It was obvious without looking. That woman was completely out of her mind. There must be many women who had died before her.
“Won woo, go with Hotae and check if there are more people in that train.”
“Got it.”
As Kim Iseo issued the command nonchalantly, Jang Gyu-tae growled.
“No, Hyung… You seem to be under a serious misconception. Do you think you can just stab everything with that sword? Have you heard of the Chaos Demon?”
“No.”
Kim Iseo knew the name. According to the game settings, it was the most malevolent Constellation—a Constellation that attached itself to the most malicious users.
“That’s my Constellation. Do you understand, Hyung? And there are only five of them. We have six.”
With those words, red mana flared from Jang Gyu-tae’s sword. The Chaos Demon began to transfer mana into him. He already knew precisely when his Constellation would react.
‘These guys understand the game quickly. If I don’t deal with them here, it could be troublesome.’
Kim Iseo acknowledged that they knew how to attract his Constellation’s interest. Therefore, they needed to be dealt with swiftly.
‘Not sure how strong they are.’
The problem was their skills. They had killed a few people, but how much did that contribute to their stats?
He turned his attention to the chat window he had left open earlier.
**[Colorless / 4039: What are those bastards? LOL Kim Iseo has basic swordsmanship.]**
**[Colorless / 195: Those guys also have Basic Slash Level 4. LOL Don’t underestimate them. They have Constellation skills too.]**
**[Colorless / 4039: Basic Slash LOL. All five of them have Advanced Slash or better.]**
**[Colorless / 541356: If they kill them all, I’ll sponsor.]**
**[Colorless / 195: Please, Colorless guys, stop talking about sponsorships.]**
**[Red / Indomitable Warrior: I’ll sponsor. Might need to tear a skill card. I really don’t want to see those scumbags.]**
Kim Iseo’s lips curled into a smile.
‘Basic slash level 4?’
Compared to his beginner swordsman skill, level 7 was inferior.
‘And adding a Constellation skill on top of that? This is a good deal.’
With the promised sponsorship from the Red Constellation, there was no reason to hesitate. Constellation skills were crucial elements affecting the evolution of the sword. The reward for dealing with thugs was quite generous.
The only drawback was having to kill people directly.
While there was a moral issue, many Constellations that disliked player battles might make it disadvantageous later.
**‘Hmm…?’**
At that moment, a dull thudding sound came from the entrance of the opposite train car.
Bang! Bang!
Heo Won-moo, who was on the lookout, exclaimed in shock.
“G-Giant Toad!!”
Naturally, Choi Seo-yeon and Ji Hotae screamed as if they were about to faint.
“Gasp… It’s still here!”
“W-What…What do we do? This is the last car…?”
Among them, only two remained calm.
Lee Hae-won and Kim Iseo.
Lee Hae-won was naturally quiet, and Kim Iseo had a satisfied smile on his face.
* * *
The thugs were puzzled about what the Giant Toad was. Jang Gyu-tae, their leader, was equally confused.
“What’s a toad? What is this now?”
The surprising thing wasn’t just the ridiculous name of the Giant Toad but also that these people seemed to know about it.
‘It feels strange.’
Jang Gyu-tae felt a sense of unease and closely observed the group.
‘No matter how I look at it… they shouldn’t be the ones surviving here.’
A cowardly guy, two boisterous thugs, one quiet and fierce, and a fresh-faced college student woman.
‘This combination survived?’
Jang Gyu-tae had doubts. Moreover, they seemed to know about the monsters.
Something felt off. Jang Gyu-tae’s animal instincts were twitching.
‘I need to extract some info from these guys.’
A smirk appeared on Jang Gyu-tae’s face as he considered capturing and torturing them for information.
* * *
Jang Gyu-tae and Kim Iseo were smiling at each other, each for different reasons.
Jang Gyu-tae smiled at the thought of torturing them for information, while Kim Iseo was reminiscing about the Giant Toad’s settings.
‘Giant Toad…’
The Giant Toad had top-tier combat power among the prologue monsters. Even so, Kim Iseo and his companions were not incapable of dealing with it.
However, it was a particularly troublesome monster to face. If not dealt with quickly, it could enter a self-destructive phase, creating a situation where someone might end up melting down, just as Heo Won-woo had said.
In the game, death meant nothing more than restarting, but now that it was reality, no one wanted to rashly engage.
Kim Iseo focused on the Giant Toad’s settings.
“The Giant Toad enjoys digesting and eating living humans, and it stops moving once its full. The average meal size is 6–7 adult men.”
If it stopped moving when full, the answer was clear.
‘Let’s see… one, two… six. Six people.’
In an instant, Kim Iseo drew his short sword.
“Is that all? No one else?”
He was worried about whether the Giant Toad might be hungry.
[Red Constellation. ‘Indomitable Warrior’ is impressed by your decision!]
[He grants you a new Constellation skill.]
Flame.
Red mana wrapped around Kim Iseo’s sword.
[Skill: Gale Slash (Heroic Grade) Acquired!]
***
Jang Gyu-tae didn’t understand his question.
‘Why is he suddenly asking for numbers with a smirk?’
It didn’t matter. The world had become this way, and Jang Gyu-tae was accustomed to such a world.
“Stop talking and hand over that woman!”
At that moment.
Swoosh.
With the sound of the wind splitting, Kim Iseo’s position changed.
Thud.
With red mana spread from his sword.
“Ah…!”
Someone belatedly grabbed their ankle and fell. It was one of Jang Gyutae’s subordinates. His ankle had flown to the entrance of the next compartment.
“What… what is this!”
Jang Gyu-tae was flustered. The speed was beyond human capability.
‘Is it a Constellation skill?’
It seemed to be the case.
[Skill. Smite (Rare Grade). Activated!]
[Red Mana -2]
‘I have one too.’
Jang Gyutae also had a Constellation skill. It was called ‘Smite.’
As the name suggests, it strikes the opponent powerfully. This attack couldn’t be blocked. It’s a skill that acts as a guard breaker in duels.
Wham!
Jang Gyutae’s short sword, imbued with red mana, swung. But it only cut through empty air.
No matter how unblockable the attack, it was useless if it missed.
“Aaaah!”
Meanwhile, another of his underlings fell. Their ankle was also gone.
Kim Iseo’s position had changed again.
“So, will you surrender?”
Kim Iseo asked leisurely, spinning her sword.
“Don’t talk nonsense!”
Jang Gyutae activated Smite again and charged. But It was futile.
“Yes, that’s how you should respond.”
Kim Iseo disappeared from sight again, and like a ghost, another underling’s ankle flew off.
“Aaah!!”
By now, three people were already on the ground in this manner.
“Damn it! You fools, take that girl hostage!!”
“Yes! Come here!!”
The remaining two rushed to take Choi Seoyeon hostage.
“Aaaah!!”
Choi Seoyeon’s scream.
Slash! Slash!
It was Jang Gyutae’s subordinates who fell. One even had their abdomen slashed open, making it look hopeless.
“Damn… got me by surprise.”
She was also a legitimate Red Star 1-star player. Not only that, she was an experienced practitioner who had reached advanced slashing skills.
Half-baked underlings were no match for her.
“Aaah!!”
In the midst of this, Jang Gyutae screamed.
“One last time, will you surrender?”
Kim Iseo’s blade had yet to cut him. It was merely stopped right in front of his throat.
‘Damn… thought I was dead…’
Jang Gyutae had screamed, thinking Kim Iseo had cut him.
“I… I surrender.”
“Then crawl.”
Kim Iseo pointed between her legs.
‘Damn… I have no choice…’
With tears in his eyes, Jang Gyutae placed his hands on the ground. Survival was the only way to exact revenge.
“Ugh…”
“Brother…”
His subordinates were already incapacitated, with their ankles completely destroyed.
“I… I’ll crawl…”
Jang Gyutae crawled between Kim Iseo’s legs in a show of submission.
“Yes, crawl quickly.”
Suppressing the nausea from the humiliation, he stuck his head between his legs. At that moment, a thought crossed his mind.
‘But… why did he only destroy the ankles?’
Wasn’t it strange?
Why didn’t she kill them but only cut their ankles?
As he pondered this, he saw the iron door slowly giving way.
Boom! Boom! Bang!
The iron door, which had been under heavy assault, finally flew off.
“Grrrr!”
A Giant Toad appeared behind it.
Jang Gyutae’s wild instinct kicked in.
“Damn…”
He couldn’t even finish his sentence. Kim Iseo’s sword strike came first.
“Huh!? Perfectly gathered!”
Jang Gyutae’s feet, neatly gathered from crawling between Kim Iseo’s legs, were struck by the shortsword.
Thud!
“Aaaah!! This is different from what you promised! Damn it!”
Kim Iseo burst out laughing at his words.
“I never said I’d spare you if you surrendered. I just asked if you’d surrender.”
With this, he stepped back with his companions.
“Grrrr!”
The giant tongue of the Giant Toad began snatching up Jang Gyutae’s crawling subordinates one by one.
“Damn it!! I’ll kill you! I’ll grind you up!”
Jang Gyutae, having lost both feet, began crawling toward Kim Iseo.
Even as he slipped on the blood-smeared floor, he desperately swam with his arms.
“You… you damn bastard!!”
The moment he reached Kim Iseo’s feet with his sword.
Slurp. Tap!
A thick tongue wrapped around Jang Gyutae’s thigh.
“Aaah!! Save me! Please!!”
Jang Gyutae was slowly sucked into the giant mouth. He desperately tried to hold onto anything.
“Goodbye.”
But all he could see was Kim Iseo’s hand waving slowly.
Kim Iseo, with a satisfied expression, looked at the rising messages.
[Basic Swordsmanship Lv. 1 → Lv. 2 Increased!]
[Blue Star Constellation ‘Meticulous Strategist’ is impressed by your strategy and clarity!]
[Blue Mana +10]
[Your body reacts to the Blue Mana.]
[Constellation Skill. Glacial Sword (Heroic Grade). Acquired!]
[Red / Indomitable Fighter: What? I was here much earlier… How can you butt in? Do you know how much I’ve given to him?]
[Blue / Meticulous Strategist: You didn’t even make a contract offer until now. I also tore up a Heroic Grade Skill Card?]
[Red / Indomitable Fighter: What a cheeky bastard… No sense of ethics? I have Legendary Grade and Heroic Grade skills.]
[Blue / Meticulous Strategist: I finally found someone worth transcending. There’s no room for ethics here.]
The chat messages were satisfying to read.
‘Hmm. Good. Good. They’re all eager to have me.’
But then he noticed something odd.
‘…Hmm?’
The Constellations’ conversation about the skills was strange.
‘Skills… weren’t randomly assigned?’
They were supposed to be random. Precisely, random according to the Constellation’s favorability.
But now it seemed the Constellations were pre-determining the grades and granting them.
‘Crazy…! This is amazing!’
Kim Iseo, who could see the Constellations’ chat, realized something.
‘I might be able to extract even more!’
He was starting to grasp how to make better use of this special ability, the Creator’s Eye.
[Blue Star Constellation ‘Meticulous Strategist’ wants to contract with you.]
[Red Star Constellation ‘Indomitable Fighter’ wants to contract with you.]
* * *
[Beginner’s Tip: If multiple Constellations grant mana, you can use skills from different systems. However, contracting with one system and receiving support will make you much stronger.]